I met Katie in Vegas in 2010. At the time, she was a single lady from Northern California just enjoying herself on vacation at the MGM pool with a mostly married crowd of friends. She and my sister actually did a few rounds to check out the guys. They didn’t find their next boyfriends, but they did find a dude in a gold speedo, and plenty of bachelor parties that made their soon to be married friends dress up in all sorts of silly costumes. We spent the evening dancing at Tao, and then I didn’t see Katie again until I ran into her at a baby shower. We caught up on my move to recent NYC and her pending move to Southern California. When I announced via facebook that I was planning another OC/LA trip out in September I was pleased to hear from Katie. She had found a loving guy named Luke, and the two of them were stoked on life. She immediately booked a session and I was able to spend a beautiful afternoon in Laguna Beach with the two of them. These two are currently renovating their home and wanted some photos that they could have printed as canvas wraps for their walls. I’ll post a picture of their printed wall art after I have a chance to see it in person and take a photo of it. For now, here’s their session:

 

You’re so pretty Katie!!!

There’s a new kid in town and her name is Averie. I’m so excited to watch this girl grow up! Jen & Jerome are good friends of mine and I was so sad when I couldn’t make travel arrangements to leave NYC and get to Huntington Beach when Averie was born. I did come out for their maternity session and I was able to come out in September for shoots and so I put a visit with this family high on my list and not only did they book me for a session, Jerome cooked a Mexican food meal from SCRATCH! This family spoils me! For their maternity shoot, Jerome booked me a room at Shorebreak Hotel so that I wouldn’t have to drive too far. Told you. Absolutely spoiled.

Speaking of spoiled, this kid will never go without love or an education. Jen is a school teacher so Averie is already destined to be a great student. Jerome works in the creative arts and is a fantastic cook, so his little girl with never go without fun activities to do (or great food to eat!).

For this particular session, Jen & Jerome had an idea for a Christmas card (talk about thinking ahead!) and they wanted to showcase the many faces of Averie. That’s why this shoot was headshot heavy. I’ll blog their Christmas card in December after I receive it.

 

 

Lou and Averie are already best friends. It’s fun to watch Averie track Lou as he struts around the yard before he decides to come in for a kiss…

Ahh babies…how they change their minds (and outlook) so quickly…

Lou is Averie’s BFF, but Lola (aka Bear) is A’s security detail. Lola bear got really sick a while back but she beat her illness, put on a few pounds (from her medication) and is now prepared to look out for her baby sister.

Lou loves his new baby. Averie, well she’ll be tormenting Lou in no time.

Ian and Pari are like Dave and I. One of them can stay up until the wee hours, and the other likes to go to bed early. In our friendship, Pari is known as “Grandma” and Dave is “Grandpa”. BUT! The thing that you have to note is that Pari works in advertising and has been known to pull loooong nights (while munching on a donut). Dave (my husband) is a workaholic too, and that’s why when the 4 of us hang out we completely understand if Ian and I are ready for fun while Dave and Pari are ready to go snooze for the night. When Ian & Pari asked me to shoot their wedding I knew exactly who I wanted as my 2nd photographer. His name is Q (Iqbal, if you’re nasty…or just want to address someone by their given name) and I love his work because it’s different from mine but not so much that it’s not complimentary. He likes high contrast, he’s a lover of film, knows his photo history, and he’s always ready to take on any task.

So, a funny thing happened on our way to rehearsal dinner. When I’ve been hired to shoot a wedding I plan on showing up to the rehearsal whenever possible. This enables me to check out the light, meet the wedding party and families, and get to know the venue coordinator and/or wedding coordinator. In this case, I gave Q the option of coming to the rehearsal and he drove over an hour to meet up with me and the rest of the gang so that he could coordinate with me at the venue. Rehearsal went well, I got to hang with everyone after because the bride and groom invited me to their dinner. Things were running almost too smoothly…

AND THEN!

DISASTER STRUCK!

When I finished rehearsal dinner (lovely evening, btw), I saw that Q had been trying to call me for over an hour. I had also received a voicemail from him. It wasn’t good.

So, Q’s gear was stolen after he left the rehearsal. He went into a store to buy some items for a personal project that he had planned on shooting. I could hear his words and tone CLEAR AS A SUNNY FREAKING DAY in the voicemail, Q thought he was D.O.N.E.

But, he wasn’t. Why? Because I had backup gear. Even if I hadn’t had enough gear for him to work with, he still made sure to contact me asap so that I could try remedy the situation. It might have meant that he would have had to pick up some rental gear in L.A. the morning of the wedding, but I knew we would be okay. At the time, I don’t think Q thought there was any solution because let’s face it, he had just had his car broken into and his gear stolen — what other reaction could he have had besides panic?

I give Q all the credit in the world for getting himself together and embracing my own gear like it was his own. But this story should serve as a cautionary tale to anyone who wants to shoot events professionally. First – NEVER leave your camera gear in your car. Not only can the temperature do damage to it, but it can get stolen. Second – INSURE! INSURE! INSURE! In this case, Q assumed that his car insurance covered property within his vehicle. In fact, car insurance almost never covers any contents in your car. If you’re a professional photographer, get professional insurance. Third – if you happen to be a victim of theft AND you’re a photographer who has a wedding to shoot the next day, do what Q did and call your partner/primary photographer the instant you know something isn’t right. Because Q communicated to me the instant his gear was stolen, I was able to insure that the day of work ahead of us was not interrupted because some scumbag stole from my assistant. Communication is key. Not just during a wedding but more importantly, before!

Long story short, Q showed up with a positive attitude and the same smile that made me think of him when I wanted to hire an assistant and 2nd shooter for this wedding. My team (2nd photographers and assistants) work hard, but the thing I respect about them is that they don’t give up. They also don’t let their problems get in the way of their assignments. Not only did Q show up with a positive attitude on the day of the wedding, he made the most of it. Every family member, every wedding party member…they all praised him and mentioned to me throughout the night that they were pleased as punch with Q. Why? Because he was able to set aside his unfortunate situation and show up. It wasn’t easy for him, but I knew he could do it and I’m pretty sure he did too.

 

So, you’re probably saying to yourself, “Hey lady, gimme the goods!”

Without further ado, I present to you…….

Ian & Pari’s gorgeous wedding at McCormick Ranch:

(Some of these photos were shot on my camera but belong to Mr. Q)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the guys got ready….

Ian was about to hitch a ride to his wedding with my Assistant, Mr. Q. (Hey, sometimes a Groom has to hitch a ride!) but since Q had his car broken into the night before, he was lacking a window (not so good for the hair). So, Ian being an Englishman and having a love for Bond (and Dr. Who), I tried to get him to drive my ride (Cue Prince’s “Little Red Corvette”) to the ceremony site but he wouldn’t do it! Instead, Ian rode passenger as I “punched it” on a straight road (it was clear of any cars and really, really, straight) and we got it up to 100 in a few seconds, arrived at McCormick Home Ranch, and then had a little fun with some photos.

McCormick Home Ranch is a great venue and a dream for a photographer. The venue coordinators are on top of their game, and there are 47 different places to shoot photos on this property.

The flowers arrived right before the ladies….BEAUTIFUL!

Hey Ian, have a seat.

Pari & Ian opted for a first look (when the bride and groom meet before they walk down the aisle), which I highly recommend for a few reasons. First, you can take care of bride and groom portraits/candids before the ceremony which gives the couple time to mingle during cocktail hour following the ceremony. Second, folks get nervous on their wedding day, and an intimate moment shared between the bride and groom (with a photographer or two) is more relaxing. Also, you won’t have all 147 members of your families trying to take photos at the same time as your hired professionals.

Recognize this dance move?

…and scene…

The first time I met Rob was during my first trip to NYC. He reluctantly but enthusiastically showed me all the “touristy” sites of the city but he also introduced me to the magical and not often explored by tourists world of Brooklyn. Rob met Kathy and they got married a few years ago. Dave and I found ourselves visiting NYC every year and made a promise to move here someday. Dave and Rob have known each other since high school in Arizona. They cruised on skateboards, went to shows, ate tacos, and managed to stay pretty close when Rob went away to school.

Rob & Kathy are super creative, and they take time to enjoy all that this beautiful city has to offer when it comes to museums, shows, exhibits, etc. They also inspire me to be more creative. (More on that in a later post!)

Greyson entered the world into the open (and enthusiastic) arms of his loving parents and ended up having to stay in the hospital for a few weeks for observation. Once G Train was in the clear and safe at home, we met up in Prospect Park (which is right next to our respective homes) for some photos. It was a fun afternoon on a sunny day that I won’t forget. For those of you who haven’t been to Brooklyn, I encourage you to come hang in our neighborhood and take advantage of all the places Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Prospect Park have to offer. It’s like a Central Park without the tourism plus a Zoo, Botanic Garden, Audubon Center, a Villa, a Bandshell with AMAZING shows, a lake, a dog beach, sports fields, Historic Homes…I could go on for a while but I hope you’ll just explore this place for yourself. I just hope you won’t hesitate to hit me up for a picnic or BBQ while you’re here!

 

 

 

 

I should probably mention that this family is a huge fan of stripes…

The pup in this next shot is Georgia. I have a bestie that’s a Westie. Love her. She’s so good with her little brother!

If newborn babies could talk, Greyson would be saying “Tally ho!” in this one…

We all know babies spit up A LOT, but while we were walking Greyson yacked on Rob and instead of this new Dad freaking out he asked me to get a photo. It may not be the most attractive photo to put in a frame but it’s a reality for new parents, and I’m glad Rob has a sense of humor about it! Also, it’s hard to take a photo when you’re laughing so hard.

Greyson’s first piece of “art’…

Why yes, that is a pacifier that Rob has in his mouth and yes, I do find it amusing when I observe how new parents learn to use their mouth as a 3rd hand or arm. (They ALL DO IT!)

I met Ivy through a mutual friend when I was on the last stretch of the photography program at Santa Monica College. She and her husband Tai had just had their first baby, Joshua. I remember being so nervous as I walked into their home (we had never met before that day) but I was excited to do a more traditional family shoot in my portable studio. I was put at ease right away when Joshua, naked as a jaybird, peed and pooped all over his parents and the three of us couldn’t stop laughing. I learned a lot that day, but I think the gem I took away was that you must have a sense of humor to be a parent.

Ivy and Tai still have a sense of humor but now they have Joshua to entertain them and keep them busy. The day I arrived at their home for another shoot with them Joshua was ready for me! He always hugs me first and then asks where my camera is while he shows me his new toys. Ivy was just about full term and her 2nd pregnancy was treating her as well as her first. She didn’t look tired or miserable. Just relaxed and ready for a fun afternoon. We didn’t make this shoot all about Ivy because this family comes in a package deal. Instead, we focused on a few shots showcasing her beautiful pregnant belly and then some family portraits as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivy and I call this shot “Faux Fall”, because here we are in the middle of Summer and the tree in her backyard was convinced it was October.

Do you have a nickname for your sibling (or siblings)? I do. I’ve called my only sister “Bubba” for as long as I can remember. The name goes back to her days as a gymnast when she was known for her strength. She’s still known for her strength. She’s my little sister, but in a lot of ways since her announcement that she was expecting she kind of became my big sister. I planned a trip out to Southern California in July because my folks had planned a vacation in Mexico when my sister was 8 months pregnant and none of us wanted her to be without extra family support. On a really beautiful (and unusually cool and breezy) sunny July afternoon we decided to head to Santa Rosa Plateau. This place has special meaning to us because this is where we always hiked from the time we were really little, and a place where I used to subject my sister to modeling for me when I was a teenager practicing my photography. I did her makeup, Bubba did her hair, and the two of us spent a few days shopping for cute maternity outfits. What happened that afternoon was a lovely combination of a fun dress up session, sisterly love and the most gorgeous afternoon we could ask for. Since Megan is my only sister and she got pregnant before me, this was the closest I’ve been to pregnancy thus far. I found myself asking her 47 million questions, trying to comfort her, and learning all kinds of crazy things about pregnancy. Bubba is one of 2 best friends that I have (the other being my husband), but she’ll always be my first closest friend. It may have taken a few (okay, about 18) years to realize that, but once I did I never looked back. Bubba, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Inside and out! Thank you for giving me a nephew! I’m certain he’ll take after you — strong, big sense of humor, honest eyes, and a little bit of attitude.

 

 

 

 

As soon as Lindsey and Eli were engaged to be married they knew they wanted their shoot to take place in Red Hook. You can find them there eating key lime pies from Steve’s Authentic, grabbing adult beverages from Botanica, shopping at Fairway, or just taking their dog Fluffy for a stroll on the waterfront while they catch a view of Lady Liberty. We met up on a SUPER humid day. Thankfully, Lindsey remembered to bring blotting pads and a touch up kit to combat the shine that seems to make itself widely available around these parts when the temperature rises and the humidity is through the roof! Seriously, when New Yorkers warn you about late Spring and Summer just take their word for it….and don’t take the subway if you have a shoot. I called a car service, Lindsey and Eli walked from their place. She’s lucky she doesn’t sweat like I do! (Umm, gross? Yeah, I sweat…and I don’t look so cute after a day on the trains. Luckily, I’m usually the lady behind the camera and not in front of it!!!)

 

We started off near Steve’s Authentic, which is also right around the corner from the house where the cast of MTV’s “The Real World: Brooklyn” lived:

Lindsey and Eli are teachers. When I asked them to take a seat and talk about their day, naturally, this is what they did (note: no one was harmed in the shooting of this series!):

There it is! That’s what I was looking for!

“Fluff stuff” (as I like to refer to her) is really on top of her game:

After the pier, we headed towards the water. We actually shot this series on a dog-friendly beach (YEAH!!). New York City is so much more dog friendly than Southern California!

“She’s a lady! Wo-wo-wo-she’s a lady!!! Sorry, couldn’t help it.

If you’re ever in Red Hook, check out the park behind Fairway. You might find yourself wanting to crawl into an old trolley car.

Another pier, another chance for me to observe just how sweet these two are together…

We’ll end it with Fluffy. I’m a dog lover, what can I say?

 

The Salton Sea is a magical place. If you allow yourself to feel pretty and put some thought into styling, hair, makeup, and the location you can have an editorial style shoot that you can be proud of. Promise!

 

 

 

Jen looks good in Prada…

Bushwalla is Billy Galewood from Cleveland. There are a few important things to know about Billy in addition to knowing his music. First off, Billy breathes, speaks, and basically lives to love and be loved. He’s the type of person that puts you in a positive mood while you’re hanging with him and when you part ways you find yourself with a smile on your face so big it makes your cheeks hurt. While Billy was in Brooklyn I had the pleasure of doing a shoot for press shots. It was an afternoon of laughter, sarcasm (my favorite!), and just letting Billy be who he is with my camera in front of him. Please, PLEASE check out his website and learn more about Bushwalla!

 

 

We started off in the Prospect Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn:

 

 

 

 

 

Billy is pretty involved in the juggling community. Before his shows, you can find him warming up backstage with his pals with just about any kind of object he can use to show folks how to juggle. He also does charity work for Juggling Life, please check out this cause here, and a sweet video he made here.

 

 

 Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of my favorite spots in this city.

 

 

Here are a couple of examples of how you can use press shots. Both of these were done by Amber Elliot of Courage and Cowards. She doesn’t just do amazing original graphic prints, she’s also a highly skilled woman when it comes to designing show flyers. Email me for contact information!

Bushwalla fans were asked to vote on what to put on the cardboard sign that Billy is holding in this shot. They did pretty good, no?

I’ve been friends with the founding folks of this family before there were little ones running around the house. I’ve seen Momma Hill go through hell and back to have these kids and it’s so good to see Mr. & Mrs. Hill loving, raising, and handling life with a set of twins, a singleton, and a set of triplets. It’s not easy to coordinate a photo session with 6 little ones, but we make it work. The trick is that you MUST give these kids something fun to do! On this particular day, we met up at Santa Monica Pier and started off with letting them play under the pier in the sand. We finished with a late lunch and letting the kiddos play around at the amusement park while they enjoyed some cotton candy. Back when the triplets were babies, Mr. & Mrs. Hill discovered that their singleton had a form of Autism. Did the diagnosis stop them from having a good time? Absolutely not! If anything, it encouraged them. These parents are dedicated to making sure all of their kids have a great education, lots of love, and a life story that few have the privilege of partaking in. I thank this family for giving me the opportunity to learn about how to connect with children who may have different needs. In the end, what this family has really taught me is that it doesn’t matter how you start out in life, it matters who you have supporting and encouraging you. Love is love. It’s simple. It’s easy to give. It’s easy to receive.

Every time we get together I feel like it’s been a play date and not a photo session. I love these kids and their parents from the bottom of my heart, and I’m just lucky to be a part of all of their lives.

If you listen and look closely you’ll learn rather quickly that children can teach you a lot more about life than most adults can. Life isn’t always so easy for all kids, but their methods for coping are magical, loving, selfless, and something of a miracle. We could learn a thing or two from the younger generations.

 

 Leah, she’s the mature one. She’s wise beyond her years, fully aware of my camera, cooperative, and SUPER sweet. She helps her parents out A LOT. Social, kind, and concerned…but also carefree. She’s the one you want as a big sister!

 

 

 

 

 

We call him “No-No” for a reason. Mr. Skeptical.

 

 

 

Claire Bear. Known for her “Claire Bear stare”. She’s the mini-mommy of the bunch. She’ll try to cook you dinner and she watches out for her siblings (Don’t even bother to tell her she’s not old enough to babysit!)

Eldest twins. One of them is calm and too mature for their age, the other is known for shaking things up. Proof that the universe balances itself. This fact doesn’t matter, because these two love each other and despite their very different personalities, they bring balance to this family. (I’m a wife of an identical twin, and proud to be a proxy member of the worldwide twin club– once you get ‘em, you REALLY get ‘em!) Twins are magical, and have a relationship that few of us will ever have the privilege of understanding completely.

Quick story- this little lady has the same name as my little sister, AND THE EXACT SAME PERSONALITY as my lil sis had when she was her age. Also, she’s the mouthpiece of the triplets. If you met the three kiddos on the street, chances are that she’ll be the one to either run into your arms or question your intentions.

Did I mention she has attitude? Not a cranky or negative one, but she’s got it. I love a girl with confidence.

Give some kids a beach, and they’ll smile for a day (Promise!)

Hello there, Mr. Handsome. Fancy seeing you here…

When ya gotta go, YA GOTTA GO! AMIRIGHT?!?

Oh, sweet relief!

Mr. No. I hope one day you understand that you’re the only person who’s allowed to say “NO!” to me.

C-Man, you’re like a mini Indiana Jones. Gimme more!

Claire Bear…giving me her “Claire Bear Stare”…

Mr. Z. I’ve watched you overcome things that most adults wouldn’t dare to achieve. Just stop growing up so fast, k?

This is the face of autism. Or at least my experience of it. Loving, brave, smart, and courageous. You are my hero, Zach!